A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Merida vs. Key Largo for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Merida or Key Largo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merida or Key Largo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Merida

Merida is a traditional, colonial, and historical city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Merida travel costs.

Key Largo

Key Largo is a relaxed, peaceful, and family-friendly island. As it is a quaint destination, it has a nice vibe. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches. See Key Largo travel costs.

Merida and Key Largo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Merida or Key Largo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Merida. Although Merida and Key Largo are popular destinations, Merida has more sights and attractions for tourists. Merida is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Key Largo attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and quaint atmosphere. Merida is famous for its vibrant plazas, long running history, and colonial architecture. It is also well known for Grand Plaza. Key Largo is famous for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove.

How is Merida different from Key Largo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Key Largo and Merida. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Merida or Key Largo?

Merida is great for its historical sights. However, Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Merida. The city is filled with culture and traditional heritage, and there are many museums and architectural landmarks that will educate and inform visitors on the area. Gran Museo del Mundo Maya is a highlight for many visitors. It's also worth visiting Museo Casa Montejo and Museo Palacio Canton. If you want to visit ruins, then the Dzibilchaltun Mayan Ruins are about 45 minutes outside of town.

Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Merida or Key Largo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Merida is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Merida has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's a top foodie destination in the Yucatan region and visitors will enjoy the many local restaurants and diverse local dishes that are influenced by the Mayan, Spanish, and Caribbean cultures. The most well known local dish is cochinita pibil, which is marinated pork shoulder. Other popular dishes include sopa de lima (lime soup), papadzules (enchiladas with pumpkin seed sauce), and relleno negro (a local stew).

Key Largo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known for its Key Lime pie and seafood. You'll find a great selection of restaurants that serve seafood dishes and options for the land-loving crew. There are even a few international restaurants to choose from.

Is Merida or Key Largo Better for Nightlife?

Merida is great for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Merida for the nightlife scene. Most tourists take advantage of the nightlife scene in the city's downtown area, while locals congregate in the northern part of town. The city has bars, theaters, night clubs, and live music that keeps the energy high late into the night.

Most people don't head to Key Largo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.

Is Merida or Key Largo Better for Resorts?

Key Largo is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Merida is not a resort destination.

Key Largo is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

Merida is not a resort destination.

Is Merida or Key Largo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Merida is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Key Largo to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. Near this island you'll find some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are private tours that head out to the reef for either snorkeling or diving. There are also shipwrecks and other fascinating spots to explore.

Merida is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Merida or Key Largo Better for Beaches?

Key Largo is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Merida is not a beach destination.

Key Largo has a beach worth visiting. Many of the beaches around Key Largo are man-made, but they do offer nice sand and beautiful blue water. The water is turquoise, although not as striking as further south.

Merida is not a beach destination.

Is Merida or Key Largo Better for its Old Town?

Merida is great for its historic old town charm. However, Key Largo does not have a historic old town.

Merida is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Centered around the city's Grand Plaza, the old town is filled with colonial architecture and colorful buildings. The Catedral de San Ildefonso was the first cathedral built in the Americas. There are also monuments and examples of Mayan art and culture.

Key Largo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Merida or Key Largo?

Merida is great for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Merida. There are colorful markets that are filled with artisan crafts and traditional clothing. Visitors enjoy discovering the unique vendors and picking up souvenirs that are unique to the area.

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Merida or Key Largo Better for Families?

Key Largo is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Merida is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Key Largo is an amazing family-friendly island to visit. This area has some of the best family-friendly snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There's also several places where your kids can interact with dolphins or experience wildlife. If you want to get out on the water, there's kayaking, sunset cruises, and glass bottom boats, all of which are great for the whole family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Merida. The weekend is the best time to visit the city, as this is when there are the most activities. There are live performances that educate visitors on Mayan traditions. There are also historic museums, bike-friendly streets, and a vibrant central market.

Is Merida or Key Largo Better for Couples?

Merida and Key Largo are both nice to visit as a couple.

Merida is a good city for couples to visit. If you're interested in Mayan culture and history, then this is a wonderful destination. There are also romantic hotels, excellent restaurants, and plenty of fascinating activities that couples will enjoy.

Key Largo is a nice destination for couples. Most couples head further down the Florida Keys, but for snorkeling and scuba diving, Key Largo is the better option. You'll also find kayaking and sunset cruises that leave from the area.

Is Merida or Key Largo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Merida is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Merida. It's a relatively large city with a number of hostels and budget hotels, so backpackers will have no problem finding a place to stay.

Key Largo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This area is a bit more affordable than the more southern keys so it appeals to budget travelers and backpackers.

Is Merida or Key Largo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Merida is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Merida offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While there are local bus routes, they can be a bit challenging to figure out when you first arrive.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Key Largo. There's no real public transit around the island and you must have a car to get around.

Is Merida or Key Largo a more walkable city?

Merida is great for its ease of walking around. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its walkability.

Merida is a very walkable destination. It's a very walkable city and most visitors don't have a car.

Key Largo is not a walkable city. It is a sprawling area that spreads out along a main highway that is not pedestrian friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Merida Worth Visiting? and Is Key Largo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Key Largo or Merida?

How long in Merida or Key Largo?

Both Merida and Key Largo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Key Largo than in Merida. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Merida, and 5-7 days is enough time in Key Largo.

Families should spend more time in Key Largo than Merida. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Key Largo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Merida than Key Largo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Merida that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Merida than Key Largo if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Merida.

One day in Merida or Key Largo?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Merida. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Merida has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Key Largo. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Merida or Key Largo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the traditional destination of Merida. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Key Largo is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Merida or Key Largo?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the traditional city of Merida. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Key Largo. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Merida or Key Largo?

Merida is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the family-friendly destination of Key Largo. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merida and Key Largo, we can see that Key Largo is more expensive. And not only is Merida much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Merida would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merida and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Key Largo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key Largo than you might in Merida.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merida Expensive? and Is Key Largo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Merida or Key Largo?

Merida has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Key Largo. When comparing the sizes of Merida and Key Largo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Merida or Key Largo?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Merida or Key Largo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Merida and Key Largo. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Merida this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Key Largo for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Merida is cooler than Key Largo in the summer. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Key Largo fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key Largo this time of the year. In Merida, it's very sunny this time of the year. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Key Largo during summer. Merida gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Key Largo receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

Key Largo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Merida usually receives less rain than Key Largo. Merida gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Merida or Key Largo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Merida as well as Key Largo. Many travelers come to Merida for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Merida is cooler than Key Largo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Merida in October average around 21°C (70°F), and Key Largo averages at about 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Merida this time of the year. In the autumn, Merida often gets less sunshine than Key Largo. Merida gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key Largo receives 275 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Key Largo. Merida receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Merida usually gets more rain in October than Key Largo. Merida gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Merida or Key Largo in the Winter?

Both Key Largo and Merida are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Merida in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Key Largo for the cuisine during these months.

In January, Merida is generally around the same temperature as Key Largo. Daily temperatures in Merida average around 20°C (68°F), and Key Largo fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Key Largo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually receives less sunshine than Key Largo during winter. Merida gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Key Largo receives 243 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Merida usually receives less rain than Key Largo. Merida gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Merida or Key Largo in the Spring?

Both Key Largo and Merida during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Merida for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Key Largo because of the beaches.

Merida is cooler than Key Largo in the spring. The daily temperature in Merida averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and Key Largo fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

In Key Largo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Merida. In the spring, Merida often gets less sunshine than Key Largo. Merida gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key Largo receives 300 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Merida. Merida usually gets more rain in April than Key Largo. Merida gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Key Largo receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Key Largo and Merida